Newcastle United injury blow as eighth player ruled out of Chelsea clash

Newcastle United are without EIGHT players for the final Premier League game of the campaign at Chelsea (kick-off 4:30pm).

Eddie Howe’s side head to Stamford Bridge having already sealed Champions League qualification. There is, however, a chance of finishing above Manchester United in third.

The Magpies must beat the Blues and hope Erik ten Hag’s men fail to beat Fulham at Old Trafford. The starting XI Howe names, however, are expected to feature several changes.

Nick Pope won’t play after undergoing hand surgery, so Martin Dubravka is set to deputise. Joelinton and Javier Manquillo have also been ruled out.

"We have a few issues,” said Howe. “I think the end of the season has come at a good time for us.

“Players like Joelinton will miss the game, for example. [Javier] Manquillo will miss the game, and then we’ve got the others who have been injured going into the Leicester game.

“We’re stretched, but it will give us a chance to have a look at, maybe, one or two other things."

Howe will also be without Emil Krafth (ACL), Jamaal Lascelles (calf), Matt Ritchie (knee), Joe Willock (hamstring) and Ryan Fraser, who has been training with the under-21s since March.

“Every [league] place matters,” said Howe. “We’d love to do it [finish third]. I watched the game last night and I thought United played well and a good win for them.

“It makes it more difficult for us as it’s out of our hands but we’ll try to go to Chelsea and win the game.

“We’ll do our best. The squad is stretched currently but we will go with the strongest squad we could have done.

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